Stats
Name: April Coble Eller
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 125
Home Lake: Coble Lakes Estate, Lillington, NC
Stance: Right foot forward, double boots
Best Pass: 5 @ 39’off (2 buoys from the world record)
Ski of Choice: 65” HO A1 Syndicate
Boat of Choice: MasterCraft
Sponsors
MasterCraft Boats
HO Skis
Speedo
Coble Ski School
Interview with Breanne Wagner
BW: You won your first pro tour stop! How did it feel?
AC: I honestly thought it may never come! At 37 years old, and after too many 2nd place finishes to count, I was contemplating retiring.
BW: And what did it mean to you?
AC: It reminded me to never, ever give up. My husband told me to go "give good energy to the tournament and don't worry about the outcome." I was more focused than ever and got better every round. I even went shopping the morning before I skied and went out for dinner and dancing (although I was in bed by 11pm) with some of my instructors the night before. I was totally making the most of the weekend.
BW: What do you love so much about water skiing?
AC: I love the places I have travelled, the people I have met, the challenge skiing gives me every day, and the family time I cannot ever replace. I met my husband, Chris, on the UNC Chapel Hill ski team so I owe my whole happy life to skiing!
BW: What drives you to be the best?
AC: I used to want to win and would do what it took to win no matter if I had ever skied that score or not before. My dad put a predatory instinct in me that made me want the "biggest trophy." Now, and maybe this is the very reason I do not win as much now as before, I want to win so everyone who has helped me or is a fan of mine can share in the victory.
BW: How do you balance work, skiing, and family?
AC: I live in every moment. That sounds cliche but when it is time to work, I work...when it is time to be a mom, I am a mom, and when it is time to ski, I ski. Chris has taught me to focus on my time when I am skiing and everything else can wait. At work, sure I juggle a million things, but that is because I have learned to be the Queen of multitasking!
BW: You’re an extremely busy lady! Tell us what a day in the life of April Coble looks like?
AC: In the summer, I am: 6:30am Mom, 7am Staff Coordinator, 7:30am Fitness Trainer, 8am Lake Organizer, 8-10am Coach, 10am Pro Athlete, 11am Boat Driver, 12noon Pro Shop Manager, then reverse everything, do it all again and at 5:30pm, I become mom again. After I tuck the kids into bed at 8:30pm, I work in the office until 11pm. Then I watch the weather as a wife, sleep a few hours, and start again the next day.
BW: What is the most rewarding experience you have had, and what made it so?
AC: Teaching people to believe in themselves here at ski school. It doesn't matter if it is skiing for the first time or getting a 50 year old up on a slalom for the first time, it is all thrilling to me.
BW: What’s the best part of Team Syndicate?
AC: The gear is so predictable and easy to ride first of all. I can get on any A1 or A2 for next year and within a couple sets (and sometimes before) be running my best! I love having team members to call on at tournaments in case of problems with gear, weather, etc.
BW: Bikini or 1 piece swimsuit?
AC: Totally biking! Makes my torso look longer!
BW: Favorite color?
AC: Jade green/blue
BW: What’s in your purse?
AC: Wallet (money, photo of kids and Chris, credit cards, coupons, AAA card for discounts), lip gloss, medicine pack, hair ties, snacks, gum
BW: Favorite Vacation spot?
AC: A cruise to anywhere or Australia
BW: Give the readers one Quote to live by…
AC: Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that takes out breath away! AND Dance like there is nobody watching, Love like you've never been hurt, and Live like it's Heaven on Earth.
Career Accomplishments
-26 Times US National Champion
-US Masters Overall Champion
-Australian Moomba Masters Overall Champion
-World Champion – US Team
-2007-2008 Ranked #1 Women Slalom Skier in the World
-2 Time USA Water Ski Athlete of the Year
-MasterCraft Pro Team Skier of the Year
-USA Water Ski Coach of the Year
-Olympic Festival Gold Medalist
Favorites
Get Away Lake: Coble Lakes so I am always close to home and my children
Cross Training Sport: Pilates, Gymnastics, Shopping
In the Zone Music: Dance, House
Websites: www.cobleskischool.com
Sports Team: UNC Men’s Basketball
Season: Summer
